In "A Nation at Risk," the National Commission on Excellence in Education published a recommended high school curriculum based on higher standards for student achievement. This document examines the graduation requirements of private schools, using data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) 1990-91 Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS). Findings indicate that for the 1990-91 school year, the private school record in meeting the commission's recommendations for graduation was mixed. In several subjects, notably computer science and social science, many private schools met or exceeded the recommendation. However, in other subjects, such as science and mathematics, they required fewer than the recommended years. Even though private schools failed to meet the recommendations for some subjects, private schools required more hours of study in five subjects, including mathematics and science, than public schools. Private schools required no fewer years of study in English than did public schools. A greater percentage of private schools also met all requirements than did public schools. Most of the differences between types of private schools were in the foreign language requirement. The variation in the years of foreign language required may reflect the orientations of different types of private schools toward preparing students for college. One table is included. (LMI)